Amazon acquires smart doorbell and security camera company Ring

Amazon has acquired the smart home hardware company Ring for more than $1 billion, according to Reuters. Ring is best known for their smart video doorbells that have a built-in security camera which allows its owners to receive alerts on mobile phones when motion is detected and/or the doorbell is rung. Ring has recently expanded their product lineup to include standalone cameras, flood lights with built-in cameras, and full home security systems.

The acquisition of Ring is similar to Amazon’s recent acquisition of Blink, another smart home security company. Both companies primarily make security cameras but have been entering the home monitoring market with new products such as door, smoke, and motion sensors that connect to a central hub/keypad.

It appears as though Amazon wants to make an aggressive push into home security. They’ve already released their own Cloud Cam security camera.

It was recently announced that Nest, which directly competes with Ring and Blink, is rejoining Google after the companies spin-off was a blunder. Amazon likely wants to go head-to-head with Google in home security but doesn’t want to build products out slowly since they’re already behind.

Like most of Amazon’s acquisitions, Ring and Blink will likely remain independently operated companies with their own line of products. However, it’s safe to expect that Alexa and Fire TV integration will be a major part of each companies products, even more so than it already is, since both already support Alexa features.

Another reason to sign up for prime membership. Free cloud storage. That would amazing. It’s a win-win in my book. First blink, which I own. And now ring, which I own. I feel like amazon will come out with good video hardware soon and I only will have to use 1 app to view all. Wonder how it will integrate with alexa.

This type of home security (like simplisafe) seems like a natural for Amazon. Unlike Simplisafe theirs will be integrated with many Amazon products. Amazon’s recent push to make home automation better (You can now just say turn on the lights and only lights in that room will come on, seeing your camera on the show, etc) has really made me want more and the area of security is something I would be interested in.